A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the discussion about the town manager’s goals, where the committee explored the intricacies of compiling and refining a comprehensive list of objectives. The chair highlighted the importance of organizing a council retreat to ensure that all council members could collaboratively assess and prioritize the goals, as opposed to relying solely on the committee’s input. The chair emphasized that a retreat would facilitate a more productive dialogue, enabling the council to focus on actionable goals and avoid piecemeal editing that could dilute their specificity.

The committee grappled with the challenge of balancing the specificity of goals with the need for them to be actionable. A proposal was discussed to prioritize goals by ranking them, a method previously used, to help determine high-priority items amidst an overwhelming list. The committee agreed that some goals might be easily achievable while others would require complex planning and resources. They also discussed whether to include input from the town manager to identify any gaps in the current list of goals.

In addressing the town’s climate action initiatives, the committee debated the role of the Climate Action and Resilience Plan (CARP). Some members argued that CARP should be acknowledged as a broad objective rather than a specific action item, noting the complex stakeholder process involved. There was a consensus that unless concrete actions could be identified, CARP should not be listed as an action item in the current document. The discussion also broached the potential solar bylaw and the need for a plan to transition municipal vehicles to electric options, with an emphasis on establishing clear criteria and priorities.

The committee’s deliberations extended to community health and safety, where they considered developing a plan to address critical needs at the senior center, including an ADA-accessible transportation program. This suggestion was well-received, with an understanding that it would be further debated at the council level. Additionally, the committee discussed the importance of incorporating training on racial equity rights into existing initiatives, though some members expressed confusion over the specific phrasing and the need for further refinement.

Another vital topic was the potential creation of a youth advisory council aimed at LGBTQ+ youth and BIPOC residents. While recognizing the importance of outreach to these communities, concerns were raised about the council’s structure and the staff resources required. The committee acknowledged that such discussions might be more appropriate in different settings, where logistical considerations could be thoroughly examined.

The conversation also touched on the proposal to reduce speed limits to 25 miles per hour on additional densely settled roads. A member pointed out the need for a formal council request to advance this initiative. The committee recognized the necessity of having members submit their goals in advance to streamline future discussions, thus enhancing efficiency and focus.

The committee acknowledged residents’ challenges in navigating service channels and proposed involving the communications director to address these concerns. This led to a broader discussion about the council’s role in initiating action items rather than relying solely on the town manager.